KOCHI: The buses operating as feeder services to the Kochi Metro will be equipped with GPS/GPRSbased tracking system as a Joint Declaration of Intent (JDI) was signed on Tuesday between Kochi Metro Rail Ltd (KMRL) and Urban Mass Transit Company, a company promoted by the Ministry of Housing and Urban Affairs, for installing the devices. The JDI will facilitate fitment of GPS/GPRS-based bus tracking system on 1,000 private buses operating under seven companies in Kochi.
The objective is to install GPS devices on all buses in GCDA/ GIDA area and to offer an information- based solution to the public. The solution comprises installation operation and maintenance of GPS devices, providing value-added services by analysing GPS feed, providing display units on information in buses and bus stops, extending the features of journey planner application for the commuters of all modes of transportation.
“The ‘Informed Transit’ is aimed at easing bus journeys and encouraging people to use public transport as their default option. A fleet-based Auto Rickshaw Network; soon to be launched in line with the vision of the state government, across the Greater Kochi Area will facilitate firstand- last-mile connectivity to the public transport network,” said KMRL managing director Mohammed Hanish. The On-board Passenger Information System and Off-board Public Information System at few important bus terminals and bus shelters are also planned.
A modern, state of the art BUS Operations Control Centre is also planned to associate with Cochin Smart Mission Ltd. with monitoring facilities to the state MVD, City Police and seven bus companies. “The live tracking of buses will be disseminated to the public through a mobile app- based Journey Planner provided by ZOPHOP, the technology partner of UMTC, which will be added to the Kochi1 App, the mobile application system provided by KMRL’s transit card,” according to KMRL authorities. Thiruman Archunan , KMRL Director (Projects) and Kishore Nathani (Senior Vice president UMTC) signed the JDI on behalf of the respective organisations in the presence of Mohammed Hanish, other officers concerned and the representatives of seven private bus operating companies.